Chapter 13: Media Multiplexity Theory

Question 1

Who is the author of Media Multiplexity theory?

Answer 1

caroline haythornwaite

Question 2

What does network analysis mean in this theory?

Answer 2

relationships can be mapped like cities and the roads linking them together

Question 3

What tool might an organization use to find out where communication weak ties are?

Answer 3

social network analysis

Question 4

Weak tie:

Answer 4

a relationship involving a small investment of time and emotional energy

• acquittances

Question 5

How can a weak tie be strong?

Answer 5

they may become bridging ties connecting us to new information, contacts, and opportunities

Question 6

Strong tie:

Answer 6

a relationship involving a large investment of time and emotional energy

• close friends, family

Question 7

How can a strong tie be weak?

Answer 7

they have redundant information // people only have what they can offer - i.e., you receive the same kind of advice time and time again

Question 8

Tie strength:

Answer 8

the degree of connection between people, determined by amount of time spent together, emotional intensity and intimacy, and willingness to exchange resources

Question 9

Media Multiplexity:

Answer 9

strongly tied pairs use more media to sustain their relationships than do weakly tied pairs

Question 10

Why do weak ties not need multiple media to sustain them?

Answer 10

they are uncomplicated

Question 11

Why do strong ties need multiple media?

Answer 11

to orchestrate their varied and interdependent connection

Question 12

What is the basic claim of MM theory?

Answer 12

tie strength drives the use of multiple media

Question 13

What dictates communication content?

Answer 13

tie strength (not medium)

Question 14

Do talk topics change according to which media you use?

Answer 14

no

Question 15

What is the caveat to: “people do not change talk topics based on media used”

Answer 15

some people might limit certain topics to certain channels

• “I only want to discuss that in person”

Question 16

What does the hierarchy of media use depend on?

Answer 16

group norms

Question 17

Hierarchy of media use expectations:

Answer 17

group norms guide which media are used with all ties, versus what media is reserved for strong ties

Question 18

What ties are influenced by adding or subtracting media access?

Answer 18

weak ties

// adding media to a weak tie may strengthen it // subtracting media from a weak tie may weaken it more

Question 19

Latent ties:

Answer 19

the links are dormant but have the ability to be activated

Question 20

What other variables affect media multiplexity?

Answer 20

medium enjoyment and communication competence

Question 21

medium enjoyment:

Answer 21

do you enjoy using the medium?

Question 22

communication competence

Answer 22

are you able to use appropriate communication patterns and adapt to different contexts? (social skills)

Ex: using texting slang

Question 23

What type of theory is Media Mutiplexity?

Answer 23

objective

Question 24

Which tradition(s) are represented in Media Multiplexity theory?

Answer 24

socio-psychological and cybernetic

Question 25

Media Multiplexity theory claims that if you and I have a strong tie but we start subtracting the number of media we have in common, it will probably weaken our relationship.

Answer 25

false

Question 26

Mansour began playing soccer with friends in college. Post-graduation, they played in a league on Saturday mornings. They used a group text to schedule practices for two nights a week, after which they go out for food and fun. Over the years, they have become Facebook friends, texting buddies, and have begun to include their families in holiday potlucks, birthday celebrations, and other events. This social network would be called

Answer 26

a strong tie

Question 27

Media Multiplexity theory suggests that weak ties can be very valuable when they act as

Answer 27

bridging ties

Question 28

According to Media Multiplexity theory, the _____ of media employed by two people in a relationship seems to drive _____.

Answer 28

number, tie strength

Question 29

Media Multiplexity theory: This is a very _____ theory.

Answer 29

objective

Question 30

Tie strength is defined as the degree of connection between people, determined by the amount of time spent together, emotional intensity and intimacy and willingness to exchange resources.

Answer 30

true

Question 31

Media Multiplexity theory comes out of a ____ tradition, which wants to investigate _____.

Answer 31

cybernetic, the structure of a network to determine how information flow is shaped

Question 32

Relationship Maintenance: This unit introduction follows through on using the “maintenance” metaphor by stating that ____ theory is more complex than balancing tires. The theory claims that relationship maintenance consists of intricate dialogue about “me, you, and we,” which can be a confusing and frustrating struggle. To what theory were the authors referring?

Answer 32

Communication Privacy Management

Question 33

Relationship Maintenance: One reason Media Multiplexity is said to be a complex balancing act is because

Answer 33

the theory looks at how people juggle multiple communication channels for relationships